Common Misdiagnoses of Lactic Acidosis

When the blood acidity is too high, it is known as lactic acidosis. The acidic blood is due to a buildup of lactate which is an metabolic intermediate involved in many of the body's biochemical process. Lactic acidosis is a potentially dangerous condition that is characterized by the following symptoms:

• nausea
• vomiting
• hyperventilation (to remove CO2)
• shock
• irregular heart rhythm
• rapid pulse
• high heart rate
• lethargy
• abdominal pain
• low blood pressure

Possible causes are a kidney condition, diabetic nephropathy, heart disease, lung disease, shock, even strychnine or cyanide poisoning. Snake poisoning may also increase lactate in the blood. In many of these cases, emergency treatment will be necessary.

Diagnoses of Lactic Acidosis

Diagnosis of lactic acidosis involves a diagnostic workup that includes the following:

• CBC
• urinalysis
• chemistry panel
• sedimentation rate
• ANA
• chest x-ray
• lung scan
• EMG
• cardiology and neurology consults
• urine and serum creatine
• serial EKGs
• blood gas analysis
• LDH isoenzymes

Additionally, a liver scan, CT scan of the liver and abdomen, and muscle biopsy may be ordered. These many tests are conducted to get to the underlying condition. For example, a lung scan may show a pulmonary infarction. Elevated urine and serum creatine levels may indicate a muscle disease.

Common Misdiagnoses of Lactic Acidosis

Because of the severity of lactic acidosis, a misdiagnosis can lead to further serious complications. At the first indication of lactic acidosis, a doctor should order emergency hospitalization. Depending on the underlying condition, additional treatments may include:

• Intravenous saline solution - to hydrate.
• Sodium bicarbonate - an alkaline similar to baking soda to neutralize the acid.
• Kidney dialysis - this may be used to clean the blood of lactic acid as well as other substances such as metformin
• Normal saline
• Hemoperfusion
• Hemodialysis with ethylene glycol
• Dialysis
• Oxygen therapy
• Intravenous fluids
• Antibiotics to treat sepsis
• If necessary, intubation

These are all emergency life-saving measures which indicate the need for a timely diagnosis of lactic acidosis. If misdiagnosed, life-saving treatments may be delayed and in extreme cases, death or a life-altering consequence may result. Unfortunately, lactic acidosis may often be mistaken for diabetic ketoacidosis or diabetic hephropathy which requires alternative treatments.

Talk with an Attorney

If you or a family member has suffered harm due to the misdiagnosis of lactic acidosis by a hospital professional, you may bring a suit for medical malpractice to recover both economic (actual) and non-economic losses. Economic losses include medical and rehabilitative costs as well as any wage loss. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering and in some cases loss of companionship. Talk with an experienced medical malpractice attorney to discuss your case.